Switchboard Operator – Joint Medical Holdings
Job Details
- Company: Joint Medical Holdings (JMH)
- Position: Switchboard Operator
- Location: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Employment Type: Not specified
- Job Category: Hospital Administration / Reception
- Minimum Education: Grade 12 (Matric)
- Experience Required: 1–2 years as a Switchboard Operator
- Additional Experience: Administrative, reception, or secretarial experience
- Closing Date: Not specified
- Salary: Not specified
Job Overview
Joint Medical Holdings (JMH) is seeking a professional, organised, and customer-focused Switchboard Operator to support communication and administrative operations within its hospital environment in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
The purpose of this position is to ensure that the hospital switchboard operates efficiently and professionally while providing courteous assistance to patients, visitors, doctors, and other staff members. The successful candidate will play an important role in connecting callers with the correct departments or individuals, responding to enquiries, handling messages, and helping ensure that communication flows smoothly throughout the hospital.
This position requires someone who communicates clearly, remains calm under pressure, and understands the importance of confidentiality when working with sensitive hospital and patient information. The role also involves administrative responsibilities, including maintaining telephone directories, handling documents and mail, filing, and supporting general office operations.
Applicants must have a Grade 12 qualification and between one and two years of experience as a Switchboard Operator. Previous experience in administration, reception, or secretarial duties is also required. Candidates with strong telephone etiquette, computer literacy, organisational skills, and the ability to manage multiple tasks will be well suited to the position.
Experience with hospital operations and emergency procedures would be advantageous, as the role requires effective communication and adherence to hospital policies and safety protocols.
Key Responsibilities
1. Switchboard and Telephone Operations
The successful candidate will manage incoming and outgoing communication to support the daily operations of the hospital.
Responsibilities include:
- Operating a busy hospital switchboard efficiently and professionally.
- Answering incoming calls and directing them to the appropriate departments, doctors, or staff members.
- Providing accurate information to callers while maintaining a courteous and professional approach.
- Taking and delivering messages promptly.
- Managing telephone enquiries and ensuring callers receive appropriate assistance.
- Updating and maintaining telephone directories and contact lists.
- Supporting communication between hospital departments and external service providers.
2. Customer Service and Communication
The Switchboard Operator will serve as an important point of contact for patients, visitors, medical professionals, and other stakeholders.
Duties include:
- Providing professional and helpful assistance to callers.
- Handling enquiries, complaints, and compliments appropriately.
- Ensuring complaints and concerns are followed up and directed to the relevant individuals.
- Maintaining positive working relationships with patients, visitors, doctors, and staff.
- Communicating clearly and respectfully, even during busy periods.
- Representing the hospital professionally in all interactions.
3. Administrative Support
In addition to switchboard duties, the successful candidate will assist with general administrative tasks.
These may include:
- Filing documents and maintaining organised records.
- Assisting with document auditing.
- Handling incoming and outgoing mail.
- Supporting office supply management.
- Updating administrative information and contact records.
- Using Microsoft Office applications to complete relevant tasks.
4. Confidentiality, Safety, and Compliance
Working in a hospital requires a high level of professionalism and discretion.
The successful applicant must:
- Protect confidential patient and hospital information.
- Follow hospital policies, procedures, and applicable confidentiality requirements.
- Liaise with ambulance services when required.
- Follow emergency communication protocols.
- Comply with workplace health and safety procedures.
- Ensure communication is handled accurately and responsibly.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric).
- Experience: 1–2 years of experience as a Switchboard Operator.
- Additional experience: Previous administrative, reception, or secretarial experience.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Computer literacy: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Knowledge of hospital operations and emergency procedures will be an advantage.
Skills and Competencies
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:
- Excellent telephone etiquette and customer service skills.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
- Good organisational and administrative skills.
- Attention to detail and accuracy.
- Effective multitasking and workload prioritisation.
- Strong time management and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to handle complaints professionally.
- Discretion when managing confidential information.
- The ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Employment Equity and POPIA Notice
Joint Medical Holdings states that preference will be given to candidates from designated groups in line with the Employment Equity Act. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Personal information submitted with an application will be processed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) for recruitment purposes. The employer states that unsuccessful applicants’ personal information will be securely destroyed.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their applications through the recruitment platform advertising the position. Ensure your CV highlights your Matric qualification, switchboard experience, administrative background, computer skills, and customer service abilities.
Closing date: Not specified in the supplied advertisement.
Skhumbuzo Shandu is the founder of Careers With Shandu, a platform dedicated to helping South Africans access job opportunities, learnerships, and career development resources.
He focuses on sharing clear, practical, and up-to-date information to help matriculants, graduates, and job seekers navigate applications and build their careers.
Through his work, he aims to make opportunities easier to understand and accessible to everyone, especially young people entering the workforce.
